MUKTANGAN - EYE CAMP

We had been teaching Mathematics and English at Muktangan (Worli), a school for underprivileged students in Mumbai, for a couple of months when we realized that some students were suffering from eyesight issues. After further inquiry, we learnt that this was a school-wide problem. However, students’ parents were either negligent of this or were unable to afford spectacles for their kids. Hence, three of us (Krrish, Ishan and Namit) decided to do something out of the scope of our immediate CAS requirements to help the kids.

The first step was testing. For this, we approached the Vision India Foundation, which works to eradicate eye problems in marginalized sections of society. They agreed to help our initiative and were willing to send doctors to test the kids’ eyes.

So, together with Vision India, we organized an eye camp for the 3rd grade students and teachers of Muktangan in mobile vans where a team of doctors tested their eye sight .On the day of the testing, we were responsible for facilitating the process smoothly, aiding the doctors and teachers simultaneously. We brought each batch of students class-wise along with their teachers , filled each ones form for record and separated those with issues with their eye sight as guided by the doctors. As they were familiar with us,the children did not fear the process and were happy to look through the machine and reading charts. With pencil boxes and food boxes as gifts awaiting them , they were all too happy to wait for their chance. We put up posters, spoke to the kids, parents and teachers and eventually carried out a thorough eye camp.

Yet, our work could not end with this, simply because prescriptions alone could not solve the problem. Since they could not afford spectacles or eye drops on their own, our next step had to be to provide them with free treatment. The selected children with eye issues were taken to Vision India’s clinic for taking out the eye number . Their eyes had to be dilated (drops were put and they were made to wait for 2 hours ) for the perfect diaognosis.

We again guided the parents and children and filled their forms as they were a bit sceptical for the process of dilation. We provided transpost for the teachers and students to and fro from Muktangan so they didn’t have to face any inconvenience on any day visits to the clinics.

After researching, we found an eye clinic with optical showroom that was ready to help us with our social work initiative by providing spectacles . So, after consulting with Muktangan, we arranged for a day trip to the clinic where kids would get their eye glasses chosen and give measurements. Teachers too had a good time choosing the right spectacle for their face.

Finally, both the students and teachers of Muktangan were treated and we were greatly satisfied with their willing response to this check up. It truly was an enriching and rewarding experience for us. What surprised Mrs. Elizabeth Mehta , the founder of Muktangan when we handed over the specks was that the teachers needed equal care for their eyes as the children. It was an eye-opener for her that staff members need to get checked too.

We hope to extend the reach of this programme through the school and receive further guidance from our CAS heads Mrs. Swarnalata Potukuchi and Mr. Makwana hoping that the school will join us in this initiative. We are grateful to the Dhirubhai Ambani School for giving us this exposure with municipal school children, Mr Bipin Shah our CAS guide for supporting and encouraging us all the way and the Muktangan team for some great coordination and belief in our endeavour.

Cheers,
Krrish Kothari
Namit Mehta
Ishan Meswani